Canon Digital Rebel XT 8MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 Lens (Black) by Canon
|
List Price: Our Price: $295.00 You Save: $304.99 (51%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Digital Camera See more digital camera details and other models |
|---|
Digital camera reviews of Canon Digital Rebel XT 8MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 Lens (Black)
Digital camera Review: A review for the
Summary: 4 Stars
Overview:
Current equipment (recently purchased)
Canon Digital Rebel XT (EOS 350D)w/Lens Kit
Canon Digital Rebel XT "Starter Kit" w/Bag, extra battery, haze filter. Do NOT confuse this with the Digital Rebel (non-XT)starter kit, which is also for sale.
Canon 420 EX Flash
SanDisk CF Type II (1 GB)
Canon Semi-hard Case (EH-18L)
Canon Remote Controller (RC-1)
Experience:
Currently 34 years old, began taking pictures at age 10 with non-SLR type cameras. Previous cameras include Canon AE-1 Film SLR, Sony Mavica MVC-FD90, Sony Mavica MVC-CD250 and Sony Mavica MVC-CD400. I'd estimate that I've taken 10,000 pictures with film cameras over the years (non-SLR, AE-1, A-1 and F-1, the A-1 and F-1 being bodies owned by my father, who is a well regarded semi-professional photographer and former instructor at the local Community College on film photography)and an additional 10,000 pictures with various digital cameras.
This is my first Digital SLR purchase.
General Impressions;
My FIRST recommendation to anyone thinking of purchasing this camera would be to download the owners manual from Canon, it's available via the Canon Website in .pdf format.
Several hours of your time spent reviewing the actual manual should provide confidence that this camera can be used effectively by any level of photographer.
If you're a novice, disregard the "Manual" sections of the manual and concentrate your attention on the "Automatic" sections. This camera is literally so easy to use a child can take an excellent photograph. I let my 9 year old daughter (with me giving her 2 minutes of advice and observing her carefully to protect the camera as she used it) take 25 photographs in the "Full Auto" mode, using only the pop-up flash unit. Out of 25 photos, I would rate 2 excellent on composition and the other 23 very poor (as expected), but the QUALITY of the images was outstanding. Every image was crisp and vibrant. My daughter is a TOTAL novice, other than using a few of the "disposable" pre-loaded cameras at a birthday party, these are the first 25 photos she's ever attempted. The 2 of excellent composition (of her little sister who's 2, and was in full "go" mode moving around) I sent to my father (who hardly passes out compliments on my photographic skills at a whim)with his response being "great photos".
I've personally shot 300 frames with the camera in "Full Auto" mode, using no flash (even when one was needed), the pop-up flash unit and the 420 EX (approximately 100 frames each way)and have even tried to "fool" the camera by taking portrait type shots in "Sports" mode and etc. The camera is very intuitive and will save most users from common mistakes associated with trying to take Photographs as opposed to Snap Shots. The only limitation on the quality of the images you can expect mostly relates to your skills in composing the photographs.
This camera can be used as a point and shoot camera or can be fine tuned to allow more creative/experienced photographers to push their limits. This is NOT a professional quality Digital SLR (or if it is, I can't imagine a pro using a digital camera, for high end photography this camera has SERIOUS limitations). Having said that, I would recommend this camera to anyone that is comfortable spending the money on it. This is not an inexpensive commitment. Initial outlay for a "basic" set-up will run you between 1200 and 1400 dollars, and additional lenses, filters, accessories will add 500 or more dollars (with your budget being the only limit on the "or more" amount).
I've read reviews where users mention several "negative" issues with the camera. First, some reviewers mention that the battery cover "rattles". I can't speak to their experiences, but there is no "rattle" on my camera body at all, none. Very solid. Second, I've read complaints that the size is too small. I'm not a small man, and I have fairly large hands. I think the camera IS compact, but not uncomfortable to use. As a matter of fact, the smaller size keeps me mindfull of the fact that it's a precision instrument and that it takes a delicate touch on the shutter and a light "approach" to taking a great photo. Finally, I've noticed that some people think the camera has a "cheap" feel to it. I can only assume that they're used to camera bodies made of metal. This body is plastic and rubber, but again mine feels very solid in my hands, not "cheap" at all, unless I heft my AE-1 right after the fact. But that's comparing apples to oranges.
Photo Quality:
In the Large Fine Format, this camera will give you everything you expect in terms of image quality.
Ease of Use:
If my 9 year old can take pictures with it, anyone can.
Value:
Relative to the cost of other Digital SLR's (and having reviewed their owners manuals as well) I'd rate this as a very good value.
5 Star Items:
Autofocus - Very Fast, haven't "stumped" it yet.
Menu - Easy to understand/use
Battery Life - Excellent
Image Quality - Excellent
Canon Engineering - Excellent, I'm biased probably, never had a problem with a Canon Film SLR, don't expect any with a Canon Digital.
Speed - Excellent, this camera is FAST. Ready to go.
Ergonomics - Very Very Good, but not perfect.
4 Star Items:
Viewfinder - It's very good, the placement of the screen leaves a LOT to be desired, but not enough to downgrade the camera overall.
CF Slot - Not overly easy to get the card in, but not HARD.
Pop-up Flash Unit - Good for what it is, but nothing you want to rely on if you're planning on taking good photographs in every situation.
Included Software - Very good, nothing earthshaking.
Battery Charging - Very good, under 90 minutes to take a drained battery back to full charge.
Changing Lenses - Very good, about what you'd expect.
Owners Manual - Informative, but could have been better organized.
3 Star Items:
Neck Strap - Poor, not comfortable. Plan on buying a replacment.
Included Lens - Average. Meets the "general" purpose shooting requirements for most situations, about what you would expect from a $100.00 lens. Plan on upgrading the lens, but I still recommend buying the full "kit" with Lens, instead of body only.
Overall, I gave the camera a 4 star rating, because nothing is perfect, but personally I'm very pleased with my purchase and would recommend this camera to anyone that isn't attempting TRUE professional quality photography.
Recommended purchases;
2nd Battery, 2nd CF Card (recommend Type II), Additional Lenses, Camera Bag, Remote Control, Filters, Flash Unit (420 EX, is cost effective and gives good results, EH-18L Body Case and Tripod.
Potential worthy purchases;
Battery Grip (BG-E3)
AC Adapter Kit (ACK 700)
Also, I bought my items directly from Amazon.com, got a good price and everything was delivered on time and in good condition. Just to echo some other reviews, if they price is "too good" be wary, as always you get what you pay for.
Hope this was helpful information.
Digital camera Review: A thousand pictures to explain one word
Summary: 5 Stars
For a couple hundred more, I could have gotten the 10MP toy. But then I would have had to figure out how to add a star to this rating.
I bought this toy/tool for my work photos (I do custom woodwork and glass etch (home improvement, art, etc.)) and wanted a camera that didn't fight me for every photo. In short, a camera which was reasonably easy to operate, but which would not have to be upgraded any time soon. Currently, I only have the stock lens.
Though it is going to take a little time to get to know the intricacies of operating this toy for that museum quality photo, I am able to get great photos from the start. The menus are far easier to navigate than my point and shoot (an Olympus C4000). I just have to remember to switch between program options (e.g., close up and portrait group, shutter and priority group). Too, of course, the camera can grow in capability, since the lenses put me back in the category of a 35mm SLR. While I miss the on screen view finder, for setting up certain shots, the trade off in quality of an SLR makes it easier to tolerate that compromise.
The quality of shots with the stock cheap lens are so good, compared to my previous camera, I long for the time I can compare photos by it with a quality lens. My next investment for the camera will be a zoom lens. I'm not a pro, so the loss of quality, as compared to a fixed lens, shouldn't hurt too much, especially since the choice available is compromise or forgo the increased capability entirely.
I bought the extra battery with this. I've had the camera a month, shot a couple hundred photos and at least twenty percent were with a flash. I'm still running on the same battery. Sweet deal.
I bought the 4 gig flash card. You can have my house, my car or my dog, but leave this card alone. Before, I had to plan my shots and download daily to clear it for the next round. I was limited to around twenty shots. Now I can shoot for a couple weeks and barely dent the card's capacity. It will hold around four or five hundred high quality photos. If I went to low res, well, that exceeds human capacities for comprehension of infinity (okay, maybe that's an exaggeration, but you get the point).
There has been a lot of good advice from people far more learned in photography than I, so I won't attempt to further remark on this camera's virtues. I would, however, offer the following:
(1) While a point-and-shoot may be right for many, if there is a chance you will get the photography bug, might want to expand your abilities, might need the versatility of better lenses at some point, or just like awesome toys, make the jump to a SLR digital.
(2) If your camera didn't come with it, shop around for a good quality photo editing program. It doesn't have to be high end, but should allow for effects, album management and so forth. That can be almost as important as a quality lense.
Digital camera Review: A very good camera
Summary: 4 Stars
I ended up with an XT when Best Buy gave me a "loaner" (that I had to pay for) while my warrantied 20d was in repair for three months. They are finally replacing my 20d with the new 30d - but that's another story. As an aside, I don't believe the problem was with the 20d as much as it was the company that Best Buy contracted with to do the repairs.
Anyways, on to the review. I gave a rating of 4 stars because it is a good camera in its own right. But after owning a 20d for almost two years, I was much, much happier with the 20d than with the Rebel XT.
But don't get me wrong, the XT is still a very good camera for the money. The picture quality is superb, with crystal clear pictures. I did notice a difference in color rendering with the XT, but a lot of that could have been my lack of experience with the XT as the the controls are somewhat different than on the 20d.
Another major difference between the two cameras is size. If you have large hands, you will definitely appreciate the larger 20d. The XT is much smaller and feels more like a toy in my hands. Its plastic body (as opposed to the magnesium alloy body of the 20d and 30d) made me a little nervous as well. Although I've never dropped my camera (knock on wood), I think the added ruggedness of the magnesium body adds a bit of insurance to your investment.
One other major difference is the focusing. I noticed that the XT doesn't auto focus nearly as well as the 20d. It tended to focus on the wrong point more often than I would have liked.
All in all, the XT is a very good camera and is a smart purchase if your budget pushes the 20d or 30d out of reach. However, if you can afford to spend the extra money, I think the added features are definitely worth it.
Digital camera Review: AMAZING
Summary: 5 Stars
I ordered this on a Friday.. and I received it on Monday! It came with a battery and charger and a memory card And there was even a little note in the box addressed to me! The cam is also amazing!!!! I love it very much. And would recommend this company to everyone!Digital camera Review: AMAZING CAMERA
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been completely impressed with the Digital Rebel XT from the moment I took it out of the box.
I did get it w/kit lens, which is pretty decent. But I have also added a Canon 50mm/1.8 and a Canon 100mm/2.0, both of which are amazing lenses.
The camera is very easy to use once you get the hang of it. I like the different white balance settings...there's pretty much one for every situation I've been in.
I have gone online into the Canon Digital Learning Center on their website, which offers excellent tutorials on how to use the camera as well as photography in general.
This camera is EXCELLENT. You WILL NOT be disappointed. I absolutely love it!